That bank cards should fit our names on per our preference

[RainbowTash]

Just set up bank accounts for the children. They have a double-barrelled surname (but no hyphen).
The cards have just arrived, but the bank has chosen to format the names on the cards as first name, initial of first part of surname, last part of surname.
I can’t stand the surname being chopped up like this; it’s not their name. I’ve asked for new cards with First name initial, then full surname, but bank computer says no.

The names aren’t crazy long, but fitting first name plus both parts of the surname exceeds the allocation of letters the bank allows on the card. I know people with longer surnames than we have.

e.g. name is Amy Smith Jones
Bank card reads Amy S Jones
We want them to read A Smith Jones

AIBU that I think the bank should print the cards with the names on correctly?

YABU - it doesn’t matter
YANBU - yes, banks should be more flexible/accommodating.

Thanks. Which bank are you with? I only really need cards for the kids. I don’t want to be setting myself up with another bank account if I can avoid it.

Thanks. Am hoping I can get this sorted with the one I’m currently dealing with. 🤞

This is very odd, I work in a bank and we can enter names to the customer’s preferences, we also have a total limit of characters, not per name. We would also be able to put FirstsurnameSecondsurname in a “computer says no” scenario because it’s still the persons name, whereas in the situation you describe the card is missing half the children’s last name! I’d complain, threaten to leave and see if it changes anything, if not I’d move banks to one that would be able to respect your children’s names

Thank you. Good to know. That’s exactly what I thought should happen. Makes no sense that they aren’t being at all flexible.
Are you able to say which bank you work for, please? I will switch if need be.

They are 100% lying to you if they say they can't do it. My name is double barrelled with no hyphen.

@RainbowTash I’ll message you privately if that’s okay!

My name as on my bank card (first name, middle initial, double barrelled surname) is 19 letter long. They are talking absolute nonsense.

Of course x

@RainbowTash

I can enter a hyphenated surname but not two separate ones, no override and I'm not a computer programmer! The only option i could do in your circumstance is put one of the surnames as a middle name, as long as it's within the character limit this would display the name as you desire however it would cause a major headache because legally it would then be wrong.

Yes this has come up - shoulder shrugs from the civil servant who told me to hyphenate.

We have doubled barrelled surname no hyphen and have the same problem. Sometimes people think the first surname is a middle name, even if youve clearly written it in the surname box. . Its a pita and when you try and log onto a website too as you can never be sure how they've formatted your surname, if a hyphens been added, spacing either side etc - it shouldn't be so difficult but it usually is! I think it can be a too many characters issue too. I've has to shorten my name at work because of it- our new software couldn't cope!

Sounds strange. We have by history an incredibly long, hyphenated double-barrelled surname. It fits on the cards of multiple banks for every family member I've heard of. I suspect its a case of someone at the bank incorrectly filling in the boxes on the system so alloting the first part of your surname as a middle name. I'd pop in and ask to see how they've filled it in on their system.

Might depend on which bank it is, as others are saying in here, some are accommodating, others aren’t. Seems like a simple fix though.
I understand character limitations with discs on the card, they’ve told me the total character limit, and my kids’ names will fit if we just use the initial of their first names.

I'd tell them if they can't accommodate the name you want then you'll find a bank that will.
I have a number of bank and credit cards and they seem to be in various formats so it's not like it can't be done anywhere.

Exactly. It is possible if they want it to be possible.

I can only speak for my bank but I've only ever had initials on my card, even decades before contacts rendered the name unnecessary and no title either

Gah. Irritating, hey.

Sorry you’ve had to deal with this too. It doesn’t need to be this messy.

Maybe if you were happy to say which bank it is posters might have some experience of it. It doesn't matter what other banks can or can't do

I applied online, I think it’s automated. I definitely did not fill in the boxes incorrectly. It’s all online, pretty sure they don’t have a high street presence.

I’m a bit anxious about them finding this thread and them putting a big black mark against my account.

It’s also worth logging a complaint even if you decide to leave, if it is a case of the bank being unable to accommodate it then the issue should at least be flagged. Double barrel last names are increasingly common and the more people who complain the more likely it is to be reviewed

@gogohmm is the credit file not attached to the name on the bank account rather than the bank card? Obviously they have to largely match but for example my bank card is first initial middle initial last name but my bank account is under name written out in full, as is my credit file? Please correct me if I’m wrong, it’s a genuine question!

I will resort to this if they can’t fix it.

@TakeawayManAlan

Double barrel surnames are a nuisance.

How bloody rude.

Nah that won't happen.